Matt Hill's Cut Paper Art Process Explained

Matt describes this as the art of subtraction and reveals the origin, process and some BTS time-lapse videos. Watch now.

What is Cut Paper Art?

I really can't describe it directly. It's something that makes me happy. So perhaps this video will help you understand it a bit before reading more.

PROCESS

My process for creating 2D cut paper art is simple. I choose a paper that holds a good edge, grab my knife and begin subtracting shapes from the paper. As I cut more, they start relating to each other and sometimes, not always, I begin to deliberately develop a theme. But I never have a particular idea in mind when I begin. At all times, I focus on enjoying the process of living in the present and pushing aside all other concerns. The net result is a freedom of creation without judgement or concern for the final product. I create simply to enjoy what I am doing at the moment.

Lately I am making paper fashions for the NIGHT PAPER project. This requires a little more thought, specifically about how the paper will interact with the body. But the same process I describe above is applied in not being specific about anything else.